20 feared killed as suspected herdsmen attack Enugu community

• Soldiers, policemen deployed to restore order
About 20 persons were feared killed yesterday as gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked the sleepy Ukpabi Nimo community of UzoUwani Council Area of Enugu State.

The herdsmen also destroyed property worth million of naira.

To restore law and order, soldiers drawn from the 82 Division of the Nigeria Army, Enugu and men of Enugu Police Command have been deployed to the troubled community.

The Guardian gathered that the gunmen who wielded AK 47, grenades and other dangerous weapons had stormed the community early yesterday morning in guerilla style, shooting and destroying property in sight, thereby forcing members of the community to scamper for safety.

In the ensuing melee, several residents were said to have been hit by bullets while an unascertained number sustained injuries.

Sources from the community put the number of casualties yesterday at over 48. They said that over 30 persons had been killed and several injuries sustained before rescue from the police and soldiers came.

However, Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Police Command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nwodibo Ekechukwu, led other officers and men to the area, adding that the total number of casualties could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report. He however revealed that the situation in the community had been brought under control.

“We moved in to ensure that the situation did not degenerate beyond control and right now everything is under control. The Commissioner of Police is there with other officers and men and the area is being secured.

“We can’t give the total number of casualties yet, it is when the operation is concluded that we will collate figures and give a definite number,” Amaraizu said.

However, sources at the Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka said that the corpses of over 20 persons, who died in the attack, had been recovered, adding that the corpses had been deposited at the morgue.
The cause of the latest attack may not be unconnected with an alleged missing of cows belonging to herdsmen, which they were said to have severally complained about.